1981 Mr. Olympia

The 1981 Mr. Olympia contest was an IFBB professional bodybuilding competition held on October 10, 1981, at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio. Following the 1980 Mr. Olympia controversy, a number of favored bodybuilders boycotted the event, including Frank Zane, Mike Mentzer, and Boyer Coe.Franco Columbu followed Arnold Schwarzenegger's suit (1980 Mr Olympia) and came out of retirement for a one time appearance and successfully won the Olympia.

Total prize money awarded was $50,000.